1876 Poems by Walter Scott - Bound in Ancient Oak from a 12th Century Abbey

What a fantastic find this is! Being an 1867 copy of Poems by Sir Walter Scott. Bound in warranted oak taken from the destroyed 12th century abbey of Cambuskenneth in Scotland. With lovely gauffered gilt edges, superb illustrations plus some early photography of Scottish scenery. A gorgeous and unique book. I can't find another one for sale at time of listing.

Cambuskenneth Abbey is a historic monastery near Stirling, Scotland, founded around 1140 by King David I. Today, only its striking bell tower and foundations remain, but it was once a royal abbey with a rich history closely tied to Scottish kings and national events. Disestablished in 1560 during the Scottish Reformation, much of the abbey was dismantled, leaving the tower and fragments which is where this oak would have come from. The unique bell tower is depicted on the front cover.

The unusual practice of using wood for book bindings and for other decorations was originated in Mauchline in Scotland and is now termed "Mauchline wear" which is highly collectable.

This copy is in very good condition. Published in 1867 by William Nimmo of Edinburgh. Pages are clean and tightly bound with no writing or markings of previous ownership. Has a cracked hinge at the front giving the front board a mild wobble but in no way effecting the binding of the text block which is good and strong. With nine black and white illustrations and nine early sepia photographs - collated. The gauffered edges are shiny bright.

The wooden boards have some scratches to the polished surface. The surface leather on the spine has rubbed away in places (see photos). With five raised bands and gilt titles.

Your antique copy of Scott's Poems will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent with tracking and insurance. I am always happy to add a gift card with a message to the parcel.

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H 18 cm x W 13 cm, 665 pages, 0.74 kg.

* If you would prefer your book not to be decoratively wrapped but sent simply in the full protective packaging please add a note to the order.

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